The Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus is a rear facing car seat specifically designed for newborns. It's a Group 0+ car seat which means it can be used from birth to 13kg or until your child is 75cm in length, whichever comes first. The easy-fitting harness and impact-absorbing side wings on this seat make it supremely comfortable for babies and easy to use for parents – a winning combination in our book.
The seat can be installed using a three-point seatbelt or Isofix points. Unfortunately, the Isofix base is sold separately, effectively doubling the price of the car seat.
On the plus side, you'll be able to keep using the base if you decide to buy the Maxi-Cosi 2wayPearl – a Group 1 car seat you can use from 9 months old until your child is 105cm or weighs 18kg (around 4 years old).
So, if you're happy to make the initial investment, you could use the Isofix base for up to four years.
What's in the box?
Car seat, newborn inlay, manual
Pros
Can be safely fitted with Isofix hooks or a three-point seatbelt
Light and sound confirmation when Isofix is installed correctly
Easy fitting harness
Easy to adjust headrest and harness heights
Cons
Isofix base sold separately
Small integrated sun canopy
Heavier than some other Group 0+ car seats, especially with a growing baby
What are the specs?
Type: Rear facing only
Car seat group: Group 0+
Suitable from: Birth – 75cm or 13kg whichever comes first (approximately 12 months)
Weight of the Pebble Plus: 4.5kg
2wayFix Base: 8kg
Dimensions: H56 x W44 x D67cm
RRP: £199 for the car seat, £179 for the Isofix base which is sold separately
Website: Maxi Cosi Available in nine different designs in a range of colours
Key features
Five recline positions
Side protection, padded head support and impact-absorbing materiel
Isofix base can be used with the Maxi-Cosi 2wayPearl (Group 1 car seat approx. 9 month – 4 years old)
Compatible with a wide variety of travel systems
Integrated sun canopy
How safe is the Pebble Plus?
Maxi-Cosi is a well-known brand in the car seat market and has a good reputation for thoroughly testing its own products. The Pebble Plus carries the orange ECE R44 approved label which means it complies with European safety standards (UN R129), as all car seats should.
This includes standardised crash testing for frontal collisions at 50km/h (30mph). In addition, Maxi-Cosi carry out its own frontal crash safety tests at 70km/h (40mph) and a variety of other side and frontal collision tests.
The three-point harness is sturdy and easy to use. The seat is made with impact-absorbing material designed for added protection in the event of side impact collision.
The Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus picked up an overall safety score of 79% on independent crash tests performed by Which? magazine.
Read next: Save 10% at Maxi Cosi with an exclusive Mumsnet code
How easy is it to install the Pebble Plus?
One major benefit of the Pebble Plus is how easy it is to install. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow when using a seat belt or the Isofix base.
When using the Isofix base, there is light and sound confirmation when you've installed the seat correctly. Some might find this annoying, but we loved knowing the seat was secure.
The entire installation process is intuitive and straightforward. It takes mere minutes from holding the seat to being ready to go.